Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
12.0K
Emotion Regulation and Aggression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Kimberley Smith1, Andrew Jones2, Natasha Daly1
1Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Aggressive Behavior
|December 22, 2025
Summary
Difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) are linked to increased aggression. While adaptive ER strategies show a weak association with reduced aggression, maladaptive strategies and emotional regulation difficulties are significantly linked to higher aggression levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Research on emotion regulation (ER) and aggression is expanding.
- Heterogeneity across studies complicates the integration of findings.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to address this challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the size and consistency of the relationship between ER and aggression.
- To integrate findings from diverse studies on ER and aggression.
- To identify patterns in the ER-aggression link.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 137 articles (171 studies).
- Data from 252,605 participants were analyzed using multilevel models.
- Effect sizes were calculated and tested for bias and consistency over time.
Main Results:
- Maladaptive ER strategies (r=0.329) and difficulties in ER (r=0.248) were associated with higher aggression.
- Adaptive ER strategies showed a small, non-significant association with lower aggression after bias correction.
- Effects varied by aggression type and target, with stronger links for physical aggression and weaker links for intimate partner aggression.
Conclusions:
- Interventions targeting ER difficulties and promoting adaptive strategies may reduce aggressive behavior.
- Addressing angry predispositions and improving impulse control are potential intervention targets.
- Findings highlight the importance of ER in aggression prevention.
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